starting a new project: a cross stitch tutorial

[@EmmalynEtc]

Did you know I make cross-stitch patterns?! Check them out along with other cute notions and supplies here: www.bewitchedstitchery.com

[@abbyring8805]

PLEASE continue the cross stitch videos!!! Literally whatever you wanna talk about!!! It's so hard to find more "modern" content when it comes to this form of art.

[@EmmalynEtc]

Ok babe I got you!!! 🥰 and I’ve noticed that too, happy to fill that niche haha

[@hey-fq3qc]

Yeah there are too many old ladies

[@marys.9367]

I'm cross stitching while watching this, using gridded fabric, starting from the outside, with barely an inch to spare on the top and bottom, and a 90-colour pattern with only one needle. And I'm having a lot of fun with it! Cross stitching is meant to be fun, and people have fun in different ways. Love the video!

[@EmmalynEtc]

Thanks so much!!💕

[@JG-yh8wz]

You could not have said it any better! It drives me INSANE in people start in about the ONLY proper way to do something! If you do it and it works, THATS the way to do it until a better idea hits you over the head! Thank you for having no fear. That is what causes new and wonderful things to evolve!

[@wickedkat5061]

I watched this video before I started cross stitching and now I am back after I have completed a few projects. The way I do it is "Cross Country" full coverage, no parking. I will use a color until the thread ends, then anchor it and cut, pick up another color, use it until the thread is done, and repeat. I might change my style later, but this has been the way I feel most comfortable with so far. I love that there is no "Right" or "Wrong" way to work a pattern. As long as you end up with the same project, who cares, right?!

[@sherryzimmerman9220]

You my Darling make this 70 year old Mema so happy to watch and listen to…… crafting MUST make you happy …. I so love watching and learning others preferred way of approaching a project….. and then I can take it in and use parts of what they suggest OR….. just move on to something more enjoyable!

[@emilyhill7622]

just ordered some stamped cross stitch kits. I've never done a single cross stitch so I wanted a less stressful beginning. I love watching your stitching videos.

[@kristidecker196]

I also stitch for fun and I also start in the middle! I just discovered “floss tube” and all of these super serious stitchers who made me feel bad like I was doing it wrong even though I’ve been stitching for more than 20 years. Thank you for a fun cross stitch video!

[@mlbuchina96]

Back when I learned to cross-stitch (late 1980s) all the how-to books instructed you to start the project in the middle. I hated that method, and was more comfortable starting in the upper left corner. I was the "rebel" back then. 😂 Your advice for people to do their art/craft projects in the way that is best for them and their enjoyment is spot on. Thanks for sharing these videos. It makes me want to go back to cross-stitching!

[@EmmalynEtc]

Omg that’s so funny!! I’ve had so many comments of people not just suggesting ways to do things, but telling me my method is wrong for x reason and it’s like...all the rules are made up anyway hahaha?? Come join us, it’s the best hobby for quarantine since it’s so time consuming lol!! (If you’re in a place where that’s still a thing)

[@gomezgenoveva]

Yes, totes interested in more methods of starting and stopping. Amazing video, so so so helpful!!

[@EmmalynEtc]

👏🏻 gonna start working on it haha! Thanks so much!!

[@adriuys2709]

I will be starting cross stitching for the first time ever! Busy doing research on how to actually start, how to read patterns and using the threads. I usually delay new hobbies for the fear of it not turning out how i imagined it in my mind, however your videos really help me to feel more informed and comfortable with actually starting this new adventure😀 thank you som much and keep it coming👏🏻 ill be using your tips and guides throughout this process🤭🙂

[@MissEmsiee]

How’s it coming along? I started it a week ago and now I’m addicted 🤣

[@FernandaGomez-pk9yg]

I came for the knowledge, I stayed because you made me feel secure about using the methods that work for me.

[@likeelectric]

I had no idea about the loop method but it has been life-changing. Also I’ve had a book stand sitting around unused for months so I’m repurposing that as a pattern holder and I don’t know why I didn’t think of it sooner, so thank you for making my life easier!

[@EmmalynEtc]

Haha you’re welcome 😉

[@KelseyTheOfficial]

2:22 I love this 🥺 always going to keep it in mind when I’m creating from now on 💕

[@EmmalynEtc]

Sometimes you don’t realize you’re waiting for permission haha! 💕

[@donnadoria9470]

Your tips were awesome!!! A lot of what you said in this video and the other beg. video I watched of yours I read in magazines. I did alot of cross stitch years ago and recently picked it back up with crocheting inbetween. Your an inspiration. Thank you. Love your quirkiness and enthusiam!!!!!

[@knittynanc]

Love your videos! Thank you for sharing. I would love to see more on starting and finishing.

[@EmmalynEtc]

Amazing, thanks for your feedback!!🥰

[@scottishbookworm8506]

I picked up cross stitch because of you and I'm loving it. I found a pattern of my home towns famous buildings and it's just been a joy to work on. Would love to try doing it for cities I've visited and create a small collection.

[@EmmalynEtc]

Ahhhh YAY that’s so fun!!! It really is such an accessible hobby for everyone imo. And that’s a brilliant idea!! I’m so happy for you haha 🥰

[@cynthiareinhardt4032]

I like to use Highlighter to mark black and white patterns as I go because I always get lost

[@alisongallup6385]

I love your disclaimer!!! You are awesome!!🎉

[@SakariaSnow]

I've been cross stitching for around 3 years now. All the women in my family cross stitch and after asking them for a long time my aunt finally taught me when I was 14. Mostly they just showed me how a stitch was done so when I recently discovered these videos it was an eye opener to see how others do things. For instance my entire family uses the boxes for thread organization so I didn't even know bags were an option! (The tab things you wrap thread around when you use a box to store it can be made out of leftover cereal boxes btw. saves a lot of money. I can sometimes make like 40 of them per box.) We also all use knots so the method you've mentioned previously for not using a knot was quite fascinating. Another way my family differs is that we tend to look for patterns in ways I don't think many do. And if others do this they aren't very vocal about it that I've seen. But we find pixel art or even patterns for those beads that you iron to make an image (I never remember what those are called lol) and use those as a reference. Makes it so we can make cute little creative things for each other without much hassle of trying to make the pattern or having to pay for them. Since we aren't making a profit and instead just gifting it among ourselves we've never really had any issues with doing it that way.

[@WheelieToasted]

Perler beads! I look for patterns that way too!

[@inesmatthews1352]

I love your videos. You are methodical but not strict. Thank you

[@EmmalynEtc]

Thank you so much!!

[@MeganKenny18]

Just found your Channel after Farmhouse Vernacular inspired me to go back to cross stitching. Love your videos. Thank you so much.

[@EmmalynEtc]

Yay so glad it was helpful!

[@DannyGJohnson]

There it is. Good job.

[@EmmalynEtc]

Thank you thank you

[@MisFress]

Great tips! I have always started in the middle. I have a hard time starting at a corner. Happy I came across your channel. Thank you!

[@emoster]

Thanks for this video! I had heard of the loop method but never saw it in action and i think that's going to be my new way to start!!!

[@claudiarutten6858]

Washing your hands tip helped me so much for long ongoing projects!!. Also I use a sticky lint roller to collect dust and bits from the surface every so often :) Can’t wait to see the finished Star Warz piece.

[@EmmalynEtc]

Seriously, and if you don’t know it it’s too late once you start noticing the stains haha!!

[@happinessislifegodislove4555]

Your so awesome and I love your tips. I haven’t started the art of cross stitch but I am very inspired to do so when I see your videos.

[@heidiowens1611]

Definitely a video on starting and ending threads would be helpful. That's like my biggest thing that I have trouble with.

[@jenniferpearce1052]

I like your comments about doing it however works for you. I think it's pretty reasonable to assume the pointy end of the needle goes in first, but I even break that rule sometimes!

[@Tinkerbell1545]

I’ve been sewing by hand for years and am so glad I started learning cross stitching. I started one on the right side 😂and this one I’m doing now I’m starting middle to see how I feel about it 😂. Everything you said holds true people learn different ways!

[@those_eyes]

So many comments you made are an echo of mine. Thanks for a great video!

[@lolabryn]

I just started learning cross stitch recently and I'm so glad I found your videos! You've got such a great attitude, they've been super helpful to me. Hope to see more from you soon!

[@EmmalynEtc]

Ahhh thank you!! It's been a crappy February but good things are coming, welcome to the club and so glad you're here 🥰

[@ShereeSchattenmann]

I’m new to cross stitch and this video is incredibly helpful! Thanks for the tips and I love your approach.

[@evelynsislerable]

Omg I love this video ❤ 1. Started from the middle and it’s so much easier! 2. I like to cross out the sections as I finish so idk how I would feel about it. 3rd and lastly using a 24 needle right now for 2 strands and think I’m sticking with it! Super helpful thank you! 😊

[@fryerock5439]

I literally just started Buffy to watch only when I do my cross stitch! Perfect spooky crafting vibes.

[@EmmalynEtc]

Love that!!

[@jennycraig457]

I love starting a new project!!!! So fun!!!!!

[@christiekaelber8800]

Where do you get large Aida. I need 59" x 3yards.

[@dippyface357]

Your cross stitch videos have been really helpful starting out!!

[@jade7372]

If you ever need a DMC color that's out of stock in at Hobby Lobby, you can do a rain check on it and they will have it within a week depending on when you order it and when your store gets their truck. Just have to ask someone up front to order it :)

[@EmmalynEtc]

That's a great tip!!

[@DawnAtkins-s8b]

In the UK, you are taught to start in the middle of a project so it is centered on the aida, linen etc. If it is a small project, I will sometimes start at the edge but always feel guilty if I do.😂

[@edithward5282]

I like it ,I do a lot of cross stitching

[@stargalaxyuniverse761]

What you said! Do what feels right and enjoy it!

[@brookeparker953]

I would love to know some of your other favourite etsy stores to get patterns. Can't wait to see you progress with this one

[@EmmalynEtc]

I’ll include some more recs in my next xstitch video!! Me too, I think it’s gonna be slow going haha 😆

[@EnlightenedFlamingo]

Okay, my own disclaimer here, I'm only like 5 minutes into the video but when I have something to say I need to do it before I forget. First off, you are beautiful. I love your hair. But I don't just mean your appearance, I feel like you have a beautiful soul. Second, you are SO right on about how crafting is supposed to be fun! I've tried, & continue to try, many different crafts & when I don't enjoy something I'm done with it! I've seen comments in videos saying the person is doing it wrong & they're "supposed" to do it a certain way. Ummm what?! They are so many ways to accomplish anything, like the sky's the limit, right? That's just never made sense to me. Anyway, there's my two cents haha I'm gonna get back to this video now. Thanks for sharing!

[@EmmalynEtc]

ahhh you're so kind! so glad my comments resonated with you, i see that gatekeeping so much online too and it's so disappointing lol. thanks for your sweet comment :)

[@EnlightenedFlamingo]

@@EmmalynEtc You're so welcome & thanks for the content! Look forward to watching more!

[@christowle8919]

Do you do anything with your fabric so the edges don't unravel? I use either paper tape or sew a blanket stitch around the perimeter.

[@EmmalynEtc]

I honestly haven’t worried about it! With the hoop I use and the way I stitch, I don’t get an excessive amount of unraveling currently. As I try different fabrics or hoops or if I’m working on a huge project, I might need to utilize those though!

[@jenniferpearce1052]

My mom taught me to use masking tape. I do it if I'm using a hoop, but not if I use stretcher bars.

[@themandyf]

OMG I love this! Such great tips and now I feel more ready to start my first cross-stitch project. Also, I love your hair! It looks so cute!

[@EmmalynEtc]

Yay you go!! And thank you, I love it but it gets so tangled 😂😂

[@williamdavidhalbert5695]

Great video. I start in thr middle as well... Would have enjoyed opera in the background...

[@shadesofgrayshadesofgray2862]

I like your room

[@EmmalynEtc]

Thank you! :)

[@SusanShaw-p1n]

One thing I would add is, if you buy a kit and the pattern is folded in half use clear tape and tape along the fold!! This way the details at the fold won’t be lost!!!

[@hlovewood5636]

Best introduction speech

[@EmmalynEtc]

thank you! something I live by :)

[@jackiemontt]

You really have me wanting to pick up a new hobby!

[@EmmalynEtc]

Girl it’s quarantine rules, do what you gotta do 😂

[@kookisushi]

since i live in france 😄 what store/city did you find the embroidery hoop with the stand in ? maybe i'll try to go find it

[@kbenton2011]

Where do you get your patterns from? I bought a kit from Hobby Lobby, and I’m enjoying it, but the pattern is printed on 2 different sheets of paper. Where can I get them with the pattern on one huge sheet?

[@the_stitchy_veg]

I just glue my patterns together if they come on several sheets of paper!

[@marionscanlon1]

I’m starting my first cross stitch project. Before I did, I checked out your video. It’s really helpful. On my pattern it says .2 skeins. What does this mean ?

[@meninadalua18]

Which green colors did you choose for your Star Wars project?

[@sharonkendricks4777]

How do I start a pattern that has two colors the first one is gray and the second would is light gray you might have two light grays three grays one light gray three grays how do I handle that do I do all the lights first then come back and do the gray I do I do them one at a time

[@amberwagner9417]

Does stitch fiddle have printed patterns not countable ones

[@EmmalynEtc]

Stitchfiddle is just a creator platform, so once the pattern has been created you can choose to download a printer-friendly version and then print the download! The patterns I sell are designed to be printed easily.

[@hecatommyriagon655]

To fill out a frame, you could just use a passepartout.

[@penelopepitstop13]

@ Emmalyn Etc. Hi. This info is very Helpful Thank You. Also love the Nails Mami... Thank You. 🐶 PEACE! 🚭

[@christowle8919]

What size needles do you like?

[@EmmalynEtc]

I’m currently using DMC 26 but I just got DMC 24, the 26 are a great size but the eye is sliiiiiiightly too small to be easy to thread 2 strands. I think 24s will make things just a bit easier when I’m working with larger count fabrics at least.

[@janeypatterson8962]

I start in the middle

[@ladygray2810]

Love your videos! As a beginner, I would love a video on treading the needle and starting/stopping. Happy Stitching 🧵🪡

[@ladygray2810]

Or any tutorial videos at all! Keep em coming 🖤

[@lisalewis1977]

Awwww you are so sweet ❤❤❤❤

[@UsagiJazz]

Love your video, just one question (sorry if it's dumb or obvious haha) you pull one thread and folded to transform into two strands or you take two threads and folded to transform into four strands?

[@greenturtletoni]

She took 1 thread and folded it in half. She's now stitching w 2 threads with the loop at the end

[@donnadoria9470]

How do you print your chart so big

[@estelat8133]

Hard agree on starting in the middle!

[@alisonbleiweiss1854]

I wanna try it but I’m afraid of doing it wrong

[@EmmalynEtc]

you got this!! it's not as hard as it seems. And hobbies are so fun! 🤩

[@marionscanlon1]

Have you made anymore videos Emmalyn ?

[@CrystalsCrochet]

Your videos are inspiring! I haven't done cross stitch since I was 10, now at 40 my passion is crochet. 🧶 I also love your disclaimer, I am the same way. You figure out your own methods along the way. I am also left-handed so the struggle is real sometimes.

[@EmmalynEtc]

Yay I’m so glad! I’ve been wanting to start a new crochet project...just resisting right now because I have no space in my apartment for more craft supplies 😂

[@CrystalsCrochet]

@@EmmalynEtc My craft room became my work from home office, and yarn takes up alot of room!! 🧶

[@janeypatterson8962]

Hobby lobby will custom frame things.

[@EmmalynEtc]

Yes!! I totally forgot to mention that. Great tip 🥰

[@GiG.gaming]

I'm like you. I'm always changing up my methods Lol.

[@dianajackson3285]

TRUTH

[@morningglory4593]

You look like Brian May

[@EmmalynEtc]

Queen is a favorite so I’m cool with that haha

[@mariamorin2057]

Can you give me the phone number to the thing you hold your fabric on that you got from France or how can I order it . And I love the way you teach cross stitch.

[@EmmalynEtc]

I have spent hours and hours searching for the hoop I bought, but it's no longer on Amazon France and I haven't been able to find it sold anywhere else!😫 this one is pretty close though: amzn.to/3WEHNsm and thank you so much!!

[@gilanigilani]

If you’ve measured your fabric right, then starting from corner is much easier. Example: your design size is 6”x11” You add 3” borders on all sides so the fabric size is 12”x17” Cut a 3x3inch thick cardstock square and put that on any corner and that’ll give you the starting point. I always add 3” borders so that comes in handy a lot! Dont have to take out a ruler everytime. Starting in centre is great for Small projects. But huge projects you almost always have to start from a corner.

[@lisalewis1977]

You are supposed too start in the middle anyways otherwise the work won't be in the correct place 🤷‍♀️

[@EmmalynEtc]

It’s actually super common to start at a corner! Depends a lot on if you like to fill a square on the pattern grid before moving to the next one, and if you mark the grid down on your fabric which a lot of people do. I agree that it’s easier to place it correctly from the center though!

[@lisalewis1977]

@@EmmalynEtc mark the grid?

[@EmmalynEtc]

Yes, some people do that using a water solvent marker or stitch the grid lines with a single thread that they can pull out later ☺️